Outdoor performances of The 39 Steps, a fast-paced farce packed with nonstop laughs, 150 characters, an onstage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers, and some good old-fashioned romance will continue at Inspire Theatre in Westland.
The performance is based on John Buchan's adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's film. All 29 scenes are played on a single-set stage and all of the characters are played by a four-plus person cast. Michael Whitcher of Westland plays the lead, Richard Hannay, while Sara Overwater of Livonia fills the parts of the three beautiful women - Anabella, Pamela, and Margaret. The other two cast members, John Thiede of Romulus and Dave Zolotarchuk of Ypsilanti, are affectionately known as "the clowns".
The clowns transform into a wide variety of characters. Thiede also has the assignment of several gender-bending roles. The 'plus', or fifth, cast member is a creative scene setter known as the Stage Meister - played by Gary Burton of Westland.Inspire Theatre has constructed an outdoor stage directly behind the theater in the rear parking area and will use this area for the show and future performances. Parking will be at Warren Road Church, next to theater. Performances are planned for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 25, and 26 and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 26, and 27.
Tickets are available at inspiretheatre.ticketleap.com or by calling the theater at (734) 751-7057. Inspire Theatre is located at 33455 Warren Road in Westland.
